Lohri, Pongal, Makar Sankranti, and Magh Bihu will be celebrated from January 13 to 15, 2025. Preparations are in full swing as people are decorating community spaces, farmers getting the harvest ready, and households bracing for dancing and singing sessions at large gatherings.
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From murmura to panjiri, various winter special ingredients find their way into Indian kitchens and are transformed into sweet lemon-sized balls. These mouth-watering treats grab the eyeballs of friends and family.
Thengai Urundai
Prepared in the Southern States, thengai urundai is a nutritious blend of jaggery and coconut. Every bite of these treats has a hint of smoky flavours from coconut and rustic notes of jaggery. You can create another variant of these ladoos by adding raised or crushed dry fruits to the mixture. It can be stored in an airtight jar or you can also pack these for a 2-3 day journey.
Gond Ladoo
Gond or edible gum is also integral to the celebration of harvest festivals in North India. It is used to prepare sweets like ladoos in Punjab and Rajasthan. It is a special treat that finds its place in the Lohri spread. Gond is mixed with ghee, atta, and nuts to prepare a delicious and warming snack.
Kadalai Urundai
Kadalai means peanuts. This ladoo recipe has peanuts as a star ingredient. Roasted and crushed, mungfali is mixed with jaggery. Prepared in Tamil Nadu, this ladoo recipe is a must-replicate in every household during the Pongal celebration. It brings together winter ingredients into a compact ladoo which you can enjoy on the go.
Ellu Urundai
From North to South, ellu urundai or til ladoo is a common delicacy without which one cannot imagine celebrating harvest festivals across India. Sesame seeds are warm and they add a crunch to the recipe. During Pongal, people in Tamil Nadu combine black sesame seeds with jaggery. However, in Punjab and other southern states, culinary enthusiasts use white sesame seeds to prepare the treats.
Besan Ladoo
If you have ever made besan ladoos in summer, you know that sooner or later bite-sized balls melt to form besan ka halwa. However, when you make these in winter, the treats remain intact, and each bite makes your mind and soul happy. While making these ladoos, add crushed almonds and cardamom to the mix for an elevated flavour.
Aval Ladoo
In Kerala, a special treat is prepared using poha or flattened rice. The star ingredient is mixed with coconut and jaggery. Compared to the aforementioned variants of ladoos, these are lightweight and offer a melt-in-the-mouth experience. If you haven’t tried them yet, you must try them at home this time and enjoy them.
Dry Fruit Ladoo
No matter what the occasion, if you are confused what kind of ladoo you should prepare, go with the safest choice - dry fruit ladoos. They are healthy, delicious, fulfilling, and packed with all kinds of nutrients. If you use dates, you can cut down processed sugar, and coat these with either sesame seeds or coconut shavings.